Zack Fair Demonstrates How Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Can Tell Meaningful Narratives.

A significant part of the allure found in the *Final Fantasy* Universes Beyond set for *Magic: The Gathering* lies in the fashion countless cards depict iconic stories. Take for instance the Tidus, Blitzball Star card, which offers a snapshot of the protagonist at the outset of *Final Fantasy 10*: a renowned Blitzball pro whose signature move is a fancy shot that knocks a defender aside. The abilities mirror this perfectly. These kinds of storytelling is widespread across the entire Final Fantasy offering, and they aren't all joyful stories. A number are heartbreaking callbacks of emotional events fans still mull over years after.

"Moving tales are a vital component of the Final Fantasy franchise," explained a lead game designer involved with the project. "We built some overarching principles, but ultimately, it was primarily on a card-by-card basis."

Though the Zack Fair may not be a tournament staple, it represents one of the release's most elegant examples of narrative design by way of rules. It masterfully reflects one of *Final Fantasy 7*'s most pivotal story moments brilliantly, all while capitalizing on some of the product's core systems. And although it avoids revealing anything, those familiar with the saga will instantly understand the meaning embedded in it.

The Card's Design: Story Through Gameplay

For one white mana (the color of good) in this collection, Zack Fair enters with a base stat line of 0/1 but enters with a +1/+1 counter. By spending one colorless mana, you can sacrifice the card to grant another unit you control indestructible and move all of Zack’s bonuses, plus an Equipment, onto that target creature.

This design portrays a scene FF fans are extremely remember, a moment that has been retold again and again — in the first *FF7*, *Crisis Core*, and even alternate-timeline retellings in *FF7 Remake*. But somehow it hits just as hard here, expressed completely through gameplay mechanics. Zack gives his life to save Cloud, who then takes up the Buster Sword as his own.

The Story Behind the Scene

For backstory, and take this as your *FF7* warning: Prior to the main events of the game, Zack and Cloud are gravely wounded after a clash with Sephiroth. After years of testing, the duo break free. The entire time, Cloud is comatose, but Zack vows to look after his comrade. They eventually arrive at the edge outside Midgar before Zack is killed by troops. Abandoned, Cloud then takes up Zack’s Buster Sword and adopts the identity of a first-class SOLDIER, leading directly into the start of *FF7*.

Playing Out the Passing of the Torch on the Game Board

On the tabletop, the rules essentially let you relive this iconic scene. The Buster Sword appears as a powerful piece of armament in the set that requires three mana and provides the wielding creature +3/+2. Thus, with an investment of six mana, you can turn Zack into a formidable 4/6 with the Buster Sword equipped.

The Cloud Strife card also has clear synergy with the Buster Sword, letting you to look through your library for an equipment card. Together, these three cards function like this: You play Zack, and he gets the +1/+1 counter. Then you play Cloud to pull the Buster Sword out of your deck. Then you cast and attach it to Zack.

Due to the manner Zack’s key mechanic is designed, you can actually use it in the middle of battle, meaning you can “block” an assault and trigger it to negate the attack altogether. Therefore, you can make this play at a key moment, transferring the +1/+1 counter *and* the Buster Sword to Cloud. He is transformed into a powerful 6/4 that, whenever he strikes a player, lets you draw two cards and cast two spells for free. This is exactly the kind of interaction meant when talking about “flavorful design” — not revealing the scene, but letting the mechanics make you remember.

Beyond the Central Combo

But the thematic here is incredibly rich, and it goes past just this combo. The Jenova, Ancient Calamity appears in the set as a creature that, at the start of combat, places a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature, which additionally gains the type of a Mutant. This kind of suggests that Zack’s starting +1/+1 token is, symbolically, the SOLDIER conditioning he underwent, which included genetic manipulation with Jenova cells. This is a tiny reference, but one that cleverly ties the whole SOLDIER program to the +1/+1 counter ecosystem in the set.

This design avoids showing his end, or Cloud’s breakdown, or the stormy location where it all ends. It doesn't have to. *Magic* lets you relive the legacy for yourself. You make the ultimate play. You transfer the weapon on. And for a fleeting moment, while playing a card battle, you are reminded of why *Final Fantasy 7* continues to be the most beloved game in the saga to date.